A large-scale study published in 2025 confirms a significant decline in the mental health of U.S. Mothers between 2016 and 2023.
True
A new large-scale study shows U. S. mothers have seen a stark drop in their mental health.
Overwhelmed and stressed: Mothers open up about worrying decline in mental health - PBS News
Source: pbs.org
At a glance
Verified August 6, 2025Key Evidence
The New York Times reported the study showing a drop from 38% to 26% in mothers rating their mental health as excellent.
nytimes.comnytimes.comStudy Finds a Steep Drop in Mothers’ Mental Health
PBS News highlighted interviews with mothers describing increased stress and declining well-being.
pbs.orgpbs.orgOverwhelmed and stressed: Mothers open up about worrying decline in mental...
The Times of India noted the large sample size of nearly 200,000 mothers and significant declines in self-reported mental health.
timesofindia.indiatimes.comtimesofindia.indiatimes.comMothers and Mental Health: Study finds shocking data for Moms' mental health in...
The reporting
What the Evidence Shows
Multiple reputable sources report on a comprehensive study published in JAMA Internal Medicine that analyzed data from nearly 200,000 U.S. Mothers with children aged 17 and under. The study found a marked decrease in self-reported mental health among mothers over the period from 2016 to 2023. Key findings include:
The percentage of mothers rating their mental health as "excellent" dropped sharply, from approximately 38% in 2016 to about 26% in 2023.
While reports of "good" mental health increased somewhat, there was also a rise in mothers reporting "fair" or "poor" mental health.
The decline was particularly notable among younger mothers and those with lower socioeconomic status.
These findings are corroborated by multiple news outlets and public health discussions highlighting the growing mental health challenges faced by mothers in the U.S., including increased stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms. The data reflect broader societal pressures such as economic strain, childcare challenges, and pandemic-related impacts.
Overall, the claim that U.S. Mothers have seen a stark drop in their mental health is well-supported by recent large-scale research and media coverage.
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